Busk for corsets.



No. 7os,|9|. Patented June 24, |902.

C. F. DE GRASSE.

BUSK FOR CDRSETS.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1901.)

UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CONSUELO FOULD DE GRASSE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

BUSK FOR CORSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,191, dated June 24, 1902.

Application filed August 2l, 1901. Serial No. 72,733. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.:

Be it known that I, CONSUELO FoULD DE GRASSE, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corset-Stieners, of which the following is a speciflcation.

This invention relates to busks or busk-like stifteners for the front of a corset or bodice, the object being to prepare a pair of busks which are in some degree independent of the corset, being each connected by a flexible lacing to one front margin of the corset, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure l is a front elevation of the lower portion of a pair of the busks detached. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the busks connected by lacings with the respective upright marginal strips of the corset. Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. land 2, but showing another form of lacing-eye or closed keeper. Fig. 5 illustrates another modified form of keeper for the lacing-cord, the view being otherwise similar to Fig. 2. Figs. 6,7, and 8 illustrate in plan and elevation several forms of closed keepers for the lacing-cord. Fig. 9 is a View illustrating the application of the invention to a corset or bodice. Fig. 10 is an end view of one of the busks seen in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is an end view of one of the busks seen in Fig. 4.

The two busks are provided at their meeting edges with some suitable form of claspas, for example, a hooks, Figs. l and 2, on one busk to engage a suitable eye on the other or a hinged hook p, Figs. 3 and 4, to engage a suitable eyeon the other. Obviously more than one form of clasp may be used on the same pair of busks.

The two margins of. the corset adjacent to the busks are provided each with a stieningstrip d, to which the adjacent busk is connected by a lacing cord or chain a, which engages suitable keepers on the busk and the strip d. In Figs. l and 2 the keeper l) is of U shape, the ends which embrace the busk or strip being rigidly secured thereto by a rivet c, as-seen in the plan View of one of said keepers seen below in Fig. 2 and forming a part of said figure. Preferably, however, the keepers will be of metal and elongated, so as to form somewhat tubular keepers c, as seenin Figs. 3 and 4, the latter figure including below one of said keepers e, as seen in plan.

Fig. 5 shows the keepers fas loose rings engaging holes gin the busks and strips.

Fig. 6 shows the tubular keeper e provided with clips h for securing it.

Fig. 7 shows the keeper e connected with an eyelet c' to be set in the busk or strip.

Fig. S shows the keeper e formed integrally with a liat perforated plate j, which may be rivetedV to the busk or strip.

At the left in Fig. 2 and in Figs. et and 5 the keepers on the adjacent busk and strip are alternated and a single lacing-cord used; but they may be placed oppositely, as seen at the right in Fig. 2, and two lacing-cords be employed. The lacing at the right in Fig. 4 shows how the busk and adjacent strip may be brought close together in lacing.

This invention provides busks which need not necessarily be covered with fabric and which may be made highly ornamental by embossing or plating, or both. The lacing provides a certain degree of flexibility of the corset at the front and allows the corset or bodice to be conveniently taken up or let out at the lacings without disturbing the busks themselves.

The busks may be made from any suitable material and may have any suitable form. If they are injured or broken, they can readily be removed and replaced.

It will be noted that the keepers through which the lacing-cord plays are not open hooks, but closed keepers, through which the cord must be threaded. By the term cord as applied to the lacing device is meant any similar flexible device-as a chain, for example.

Iam aware that, broadly speaking, it is not novel to employ closed keepers for lacings on corsets nor to employ hooks for locking together the busks of a corset; but these have not, so far as I am aware, been employed in a construction such as that above described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim i 1. The combination with a pair of metal busks provided along their meeting edges set provided with stiEening-strips d d pro-v vided With closed keepers along their free edges, and lacing-cords engaging the keepers on the busks and stiffeners, the said keepers 'x5 alternating on the respective stiffeners and the busks to Which they are laced, a single lacing-cord being employed, as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed `my name, this 3d day of August, 1901, in the Q'o presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CONSUELO FOULD DE GRASSE.

VVitI-lesses:

JULES ARMENGAUD, Jeune, MARoL ARMENGAUD, Jeune. 

